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November 22, 2002

See and hear how Christmas is celebrated throughout America and in Europe through engaging and innovative seasonal programming this year at Colonial Williamsburg’s DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. These programs celebrate holiday traditions from the 18th to the 21st centuries. Special tickets are required for all programs in addition to museum admission.

The Story of the Little Tailor, 2, 3 and 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 29. The Williamsburg Chamber Players present the story of a young tailor who swatted seven flies at once. His exclamation, “seven with one blow,” is misunderstood and he is on his way to power and glory. Tickets are $8 in addition to museum admission.

St. Andrew’s Day Celebration, 2 and 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30. Join John Turner, Cliff Williams, David Gardener, and Eric and Linda Rice-Johnston with fiddles and bagpipes for a rousing celebration of this Scottish holiday. This program is being presented in conjunction with the Wallace Museum exhibition, “At the Edge of the World: Mapping Scotland.” Tickets are $8 in addition to museum admission.

Gospel Christmas, 2 and 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 1. From the 18th century to the present day, gospel music could be heard from the slave quarter to the main house. Join us for a holiday musical journey into the genre, which combines African and European influences into a celebration of faith and family. Tickets are $6 in addition to museum admission.

A Pioneer Woman’s Christmas, 4 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4. Listen to the carols that were heard in the wilderness, enjoy the dances that sprung up on the dirt floors in Appalachia and hear the words of the women themselves as they forged new Christmas traditions in a new world. Tickets are $6 in addition to museum admission.

Holiday Nostalgia at the Hennage Canteen, noon, 2 and 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7. The Sound of Swing band accompanies Mike Hassell’s troupe of singing jitterbugs on a trip down memory lane with holiday and patriotic music of the 1940s. Tickets are $10 in addition to museum admission.

Grand Illumination Extravaganza, noon, 2 and 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8. Christmas carols performed on the glass armonica, spinet and hand bells will get you in the holiday spirit. Performers Dean Shostak and Kelly Kennedy join the Olivet Lutheran Church Bell Choir from Sylvania, Ohio. Tickets are $12 in addition to museum admission.

Toys from Times Past, 2 and 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14. Watch demonstrations and play with toys dating back to the American colonial period. Observe toys that spin, fly, balance and require coordination skills. Included in admission is a small historical toy kit that audience members may take home. Tickets are $5 in addition to museum admission.

Yule Traditions-Olde and New, noon, 2 and 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 21. Celtic band Coyote Run takes participants on a journey to examine Yule and Christmas traditions throughout Europe. See how early Germanic and Celtic traditions of the season came to hold new meaning for early Christians. Tickets are $7 in addition to museum admission.

Washington at Valley Forge, 2 and 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 22. David and Ginger Hildebrand celebrate the central role George Washington and his troops played during the American Revolution through drinking songs, theater songs and dance tunes. Tickets are $6 in addition to museum admission.

Christmas on the Chesapeake Bay, 2 and 4 p.m., Monday, Dec. 23. Dean Shostak, Kelly Kennedy and Bob Zentz perform music that was heard from Annapolis to Williamsburg on plantations, ships, wharfs and in taverns. Tickets are $8 in addition to museum admission.

An Acoustic Christmas, 2 and 4 p.m., Friday, Dec. 27 and Saturday, Dec. 28. The Miller-Rowe Consort presents a concert of music of the season, especially arranged for hammered dulcimer and classical guitar. Tickets are $8 in addition to museum admission.

Hogmanay-A Scottish New Year Celebration, 2 and 4 p.m., Monday, Dec. 30. Celebrate this festival with Trio String Wind, and enjoy stories and songs about ancient traditions that still are practiced to bring good luck in the new year. Tickets are $8 in addition to museum admission.